tunnel in wortley

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 11:46 am

Agreed Si.You also get 'Dashing Dick: Or, Trapper Tom's castle'Whatever that may be

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 12:21 pm

Phill_dvsn wrote: I'm going to have a look on Leodis. My investigation mate Brandy, Where are you lol? Image hosted from flickr.com herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/phill_dvsn/ Im on it for you now mate(missed this thread the other night)Trapper Tom very interesting they will be something down for him somewhere.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 2:42 pm

The boys are back in business Brandy

weenie · Post by **weenie** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 8:25 pm

just a thought on Trapper Tom Way.... During the mining era, didnt they call the person who shut the door behind people down mines, a trapper boy.?.... I remember a guy telling me this at cap house colliery... thats where the saying "shut your trap comes from".. May be the name stems from a boy called Tom who was a Trapper at the quarry and maybe a bad accident happend?

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 9:21 pm

Trapper boy search indeed proves your theory correct Weenie Trappers' opened and shut wooden doors to let air through the tunnels. A trapper boy sat in the dark, with just a small candle, and no-one to talk to. boo hoo They are the youngest boys employed in the mine. They are stationed at traps or doors in various parts of the pit, which they have to open when trams of coal pass through and immediately to close again, as a means of directing the current of air for ventilation to follow certain prescribed channels. It was formerly the practice to send boys of not more than six years to work in the mine as trappers. They remained in the pit for eighteen hours every day, and received fivepence a day each as wages. He was in solitude and total darkness the whole time he was in the mine, except when a tram was passing. He went to his labour at two o'clock in the morning, so that during the greater part of the year it was literally true that he did not see daylight from one Sunday till the Saturday following.More info herehttp://www.dmm.org.uk/educate/mineocc.htm

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 9:28 pm

I can only say we don't know were born today. And i for one am glad i didn't live way back then It's also good to know where the saying 'shut your trap' comes from too.Well done Weenie!

weenie · Post by **weenie** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 9:51 pm

Thankyou Phil,

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 9:56 pm

Same goes for me weenie well done.Its true what they say you learn something new every day.

weenie · Post by **weenie** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 10:18 pm

Thanks Tilly,..... Although it may not be why its called Trapper Tom way? ....... But was just a thought

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Tue 17 Aug, 2010 10:30 pm

weenie wrote: Thanks Tilly,..... Although it may not be why its called Trapper Tom way? ....... But was just a thought I think you could safely assume it's related to workings at the fireclay, you can never be 100% without proof of course, but it does look a good bet. There's countless streets named like this across Leeds, if you look back at the history of the area you soon see the connection. Pottery Fields at Meadow lane, Stoney rock at Burmantofts are just two of the top of my head.